The Cleveland Indians and Spring Training in Lakeland, Florida, 1923-1927
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Tampa Bay History Volume 19 Issue 1 Article 4 6-1-1997 The Cleveland Indians and Spring Training in Lakeland, Florida, 1923-1927 Hal Hubener Lakeland Public Library Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/tampabayhistory Recommended Citation Hubener, Hal (1997) "The Cleveland Indians and Spring Training in Lakeland, Florida, 1923-1927," Tampa Bay History: Vol. 19 : Iss. 1 , Article 4. Available at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/tampabayhistory/vol19/iss1/4 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Open Access Journals at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Tampa Bay History by an authorized editor of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Hubener: The Cleveland Indians and Spring Training in Lakeland, Florida, 1 THE CLEVELAND INDIANS AND SPRING TRAINING IN LAKELAND, FLORIDA, 1923-1927 By Hal Hubener On July 10, 1922, the Lakeland Evening Telegram reported that the Cleveland Indians had chosen Lakeland as their spring training site for 1923. The selection was not official, however, until August 8, when T.J. Appleyard, manager of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, received a telegram from the Indians’ business manager, Walter McNichols, confirming the decision. Appleyard, along with Clare Henley, president of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, and J.E. Melton, secretary of the Lakeland Baseball Association, were the driving force behind the city’s attempt to acquire the major league team.1 McNichols of the Indians had gone to Florida in July, after the team had decided not to return to Texas, where it had trained the two previous seasons. He had also considered both Miami and St. Petersburg as training sites. The Cleveland Plain Dealer noted that in deciding upon Lakeland, Indians’ management had selected a “town near several National League clubs' quarters.” Moreover, the city had a population of 12,000 and several thousand winter visitors “from whom the tribe [could] draw patrons,” along with a “pretty fair baseball park,” and a “first-class fireproof hotel.”2 Additionally, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce had prepared charts about weather, climate and rainfall, which indicated that the area was ideal for spring baseball.3 The excitement about major league baseball in Florida was not confined to Lakeland and the Indians. Seven teams were training in Florida, according to Al Lang, president of the Florida State League. He even suggested that in 1924 the American and National leagues should schedule a series of exhibition games and award a trophy to the best team.4 Acquiring the Indians proved to be an economic boon to Lakeland. The Hotel Thelma, which not only accommodated the players but also served as the headquarters of the organization, took in approximately $11,000 during the six-week training season in 1923. It was originally estimated that the team would spend some $30,000 while in town. The only cost to the city was $500 for showers “and other conveniences” at the ballpark.5 Baseball fans and visitors observed that Lakeland’s ball park, Adair Field, was the best in Florida. In fact, it was acknowledged as one of the best in the South, and the credit for its condition went to Indians’ groundskeeper Frank Van Dellen, who had spent the winter of 1922-23 working on the grounds.6 One sports writer reported that “no infielder should make an error because the grounders should never take a bad hop.”7 Lakeland was ready for the Indians. On February 28, 1923, seventy-five members of the Elks Club awaited the team at the railroad station. The Elks were there to welcome the players and carry their baggage to the Thelma Hotel. Unfortunately, the team failed to make connections at Jacksonville, and the train that did arrive carried only two players. They were George Dewey Metivier and Frank K. Cross.8 According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, both players were bewildered to see seventy-five Elks all grabbing for their baggage as they stepped off the train. Published by Scholar Commons, 1997 1 Tampa Bay History, Vol. 19 [1997], Iss. 1, Art. 4 Lakeland’s Main Street during the 1920s. Photograph courtesy of Lakeland Public Library Special Collections. That same day a few more players arrived and worked out at Adair Field, including pitcher Guy Morton from Alabama and catcher Al Spaulding. Joe Shaute, a “giant left hander” from Juanita College, was also seen in town but apparently had checked in at the wrong hotel.9 By March 1 several members of the team, including player/manager Tris “Spoke” Speaker, were working out at Adair Field. Comparing Lakeland favorably to Dallas, where the Indians had trained the previous year, one sports writer noted, “It’s funny how [Speaker] can wear a diamond ring around here in Lakeland – while over in Dallas last year he had to place his stone in the bank. Speaks pretty well of the law-abiding citizens of this community.”10 The players rapidly discovered the amenities of local life. When workouts were over, they took up tackle and went looking for fishing holes or headed for the golf course. Still others were the guests of sporting organizations. Tris Speaker, for example, accepted an invitation to take part in the weekly shoot of the Lakeland Trapshooters Club.11 During the first week of training, speculation already focused on the starting lineup. Speaker reported on March 4 that he had not yet decided the batting order for the regular season, but sports writers believed that Charley Jamieson would lead off, followed by Bill “Wamby” Wambsganss and then Speaker. Wamby’s claim to fame was an unassisted triple play in the 1920 World Series between the Indians and the Dodgers. Concerning relief pitching, Speaker was hoping that Sherrod Smith, purchased from Brooklyn in the off season, would be the team’s ace. According to one scribe, Smith had the best pick-off move in the majors. The Indians were in good shape at the catcher position. Steve O’Neill, who batted .311 with the Indians, and Glenn https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/tampabayhistory/vol19/iss1/4 2 Hubener: The Cleveland Indians and Spring Training in Lakeland, Florida, 1 Lakeland’s Hotel Thelma during the 1920s. Photograph courtesy of Lakeland Public Library Special Collections. Myatt, who led the American Association the previous season with an average of .370, were expected to share playing time at the position. They were backed up by Luke Sewell.12 With the exception of Jim Edwards and Phil Bedgood, the rest of the team arrived March 7. Attention that day turned to first base where Louis Guisto of California was competing against Frank Brower of Virginia.13 By the end of the exhibition season, however, the newspapers were referring to Brower as a utility outfielder, who was a “dangerous batter, fair gardener and pretty fast on the paths.”14 At third base, the club had Walter Lutzke, who was replacing veteran Larry Gardner, considered at that time to be one of the greatest third basemen in the history of the game. Sports writers were interested not only in Lutzke’s ability, but also his hands – reportedly the largest in baseball. The lineup was rounding into shape by March 10. Jamieson was in left field and Speaker in center. Competing for right field were Homer Summa and Brower. The other positions were: first base, Guisto; catcher, O’Neill and Myatt; Lutzke, third base; Sewell, shortstop; and Wamby, second base. Larry Gardner and Riggs Stephenson were extra infielders. Joe Connolly was an outfield sub. Ken Hogan had a good shot at making the team as a pinch runner. Starting pitchers included Coveleskie, the knuckleballer George Uhle, Morton, and Smith.15 “A more willing and ambitious bunch of players never wore Cleveland uniforms,” one writer reported, “and already they are beginning to discuss among themselves their chances of finishing better than fourth.”16 Lakeland residents took every opportunity to mix with the star athletes. On Sunday, March 11, several dozen “prominent citizens” attended a fish-and-chicken fry for players, hosted by the Published by Scholar Commons, 1997 3 Tampa Bay History, Vol. 19 [1997], Iss. 1, Art. 4 Tris Speaker and his wife playing golf in Lakeland during Spring training. Photograph courtesy of Lakeland Public Library Special Collections. manager of the Hotel Thelma. A few players had other plans, however. Some went picking oranges, and Tris Speaker played golf in Sebring. Golf was the favorite pastime of several players, including Coveleskie, Uhle and Myatt.17 The next day Speaker announced a starting lineup and batting order for the first game. It was also announced that baseball's commissioner, Kennesaw Mountain Landis, would be in Lakeland as a guest of honor at an Elks Club banquet. Before they opened the exhibition season against the Cincinnati Reds, the Indians had an intrasquad game on March 14. Speaker captained the second-team, called the “Yannigans,” and played center field. The five-inning game ended in a 2-2 tie, and one writer noted that some World Series games did not present as many thrilling plays. Speaker, the “gray eagle of the Texas plains,” caught his opponents flat footed in the first inning with a bunt single and made two fine catches in the outfield.18 On March 16, 1923, the Indians opened the exhibition season in Orlando and defeated the Cincinnati Reds by a 10-2 score. It was a close game until the ninth inning when the tribe scored six runs.19 On March 19 Adair Field was the site of the Indians’ first home game of the exhibition season. Unfortunately, the Indians were victims of poor base running and lost 2-1.